14 September 2005, 16:51 Cars

Ford Galaxy: Family Atrium

Dmitry Kiselev The Ford company is always headed by representatives of the dynasty of its founder. Who else but the Fords knows how to store and move family valuables in space?

Despite the “stellar” name, the Ford Galaxy was not something cosmically incomprehensible before. Just a big car with a bunch of comfortable seats and places for all sorts of things and an extremely discreet design. The previous generation shared a common understanding with Volkswagen (the Germans called their “galaxy” Sharan) and SEAT (the Spanish car bore the juicy and romantic name Alhambra).

The new Galaxy is built on the next-generation Ford Mondeo platform.

The design of the Galaxy is exactly in line with the new corporate identity, designated by the spectacular sports minivan SAV Concept.

It is no longer as boring as the C-Max, but still retains the ideal geometry of the New Edge style interface lines. Continuity with the previous model is maintained by a smooth, almost flat slope, which is formed by the windshield and hood. Aerospace design meets the utility of a family treasure carrier.

The content is quite consistent with the form: behind the wheel of the new Galaxy, the driver will feel like, if not the commander of a spaceship, then certainly the driver of a sports car. The interior is “warmed up” by the shape of a dashboard with an inclined center console trimmed in aluminum. True, the gearshift knob sticks out quite high - as is customary on minivans. In addition, the new Galaxy has seats with more pronounced lateral support than the previous model.

Ford people are proud of the huge glass area of their new product. The car has turned into a real atrium on wheels - there are now windows even in the roof. It is not clear who was spying on whom, but this solution almost completely replicates the roof of the new generation Opel Zafira : the windows are cut around the edges, and a whole battery of drawers stretches in the middle. Of course, the car is full of other containers for all sorts of things, and the seats can be folded if necessary, turning them into tables or freeing up space for luggage. In total, according to the developers, the Galaxy has 52 options for placing passengers and luggage.

Upon request, you can put a refrigerator and even a safe in the car.

The new Galaxy will be available in three versions: the simple LX, the sporty Zetec and the luxury Ghia. In the “base”, all Galaxy will have ABS, front electric windows, central locking, immobilizer, air conditioning and airbags for the driver and passenger. The list of additional equipment includes side airbags, xenon headlights with washers, parking sensors, a navigation system, heated seats, and an additional battery. In addition, upon request, the Galaxy can be “tuned” - install a sports suspension and hang the car with spoilers.

<1>Children in the car will not particularly bother adults - of course, if they do not skimp on installing a multimedia system that allows them to watch DVDs or play computer games. Two color screens of this device are built into the backs of the front seats - while one child plays, the other can watch cartoons.

Under the hood of the flagship version of the Galaxy there will be a 2.8-liter V6 petrol engine producing 204 hp. With it, the family atrium can accelerate to 100 km/h in 9 seconds. This version will be equipped with ESP by default, which is an option for all other modifications. Europeans, who are beginning to forget about the luxury of spark ignition of the mixture, are more likely to be interested in diesel engines with a power of 90, 115 and 125 hp. The list of power units also includes a 2-liter petrol engine with 145 hp. The Galaxy will be equipped with a five- or six-speed manual transmission, as well as a five-speed automatic.

The new Galaxy is promised to appear in dealer showrooms in the first half of next year. How much they will cost has not yet been announced.